Chic in the Heat

[image id="23c7a5a3-1b28-40df-a098-3a75ce6d6bcf" mediaId="e29731dd-4273-4280-8644-747458de6989" loc="C"][/image]Henry James once said that the words "summer afternoon" were "the two most beautiful words in the English language." Assuming that he wasn't caught in a too tight, too short, too hot ensemble at a sweltering fete when this phrase was uttered, we'd tend to agree. Whether you're lazing about on the isle of Capri or nine-to-fiving it in New York, it is indeed a marvelous season to behold. Bright blue skies morph into starry nights, the pace is (theoretically) slower, and you can finally ditch your maxicoat for a miniskirt.

But dressing for the variety of summer activities, from air-conditioned work meetings to poolside cocktail parties to backyard barbecues, requires a fair amount of creativity and strategy.

"I dress differently for work than I do for parties," admits designer Veronica Etro. "For the former, I have to be easy and comfortable, so flats, hair in a ponytail, jackets, and trousers. For the latter, I wear wedges or high heels, pendant earrings, and my hair down so it's more feminine."

Stylist Emily Barnes, who has worked with Chloë Sevigny and Sienna Miller, abides by a sartorial checklist from May to September. "My foolproof pieces in the hot weather are derived from body-skimming layers," she says. "You don't want any fuss. Clean lines work best in the heat: slip dresses, oversize tees worn as dresses and belted to give shape, and flats."

The working woman needs an outfit that can transition fluidly from day to night. Barnes tends to favor pieces from Stella McCartney, Rick Owens, knitwear maestros Clu, and James Perse. For Lisa Airan, one of Manhattan's leading dermatologists and a rabid fashion lover to boot, her go-to designer is Marc Jacobs. "I like pieces that work quickly in the morning, like a black Marc Jacobs dress with a belt and flat sandals," she says. If she's going out that same evening, she'll ditch the belt, throw on some sky-high stilettos, trade a hold-everything tote for a minaudière, and head out.

While classic basics and layering pieces are perfect for summers in the city, those with a yen for a little flashy panache should look to prints and bright colors. Brands like Missoni, Diane von Furstenberg, Marni, Tory Burch, Etro, and Matthew Williamson understand the globe-trotting aesthetic and the desire to wear great stand-out pieces — dresses, tunics, caftans — that are throw-on-and-go chic.

"A good side-drape dress looks effortless," suggests Maria Cornejo, whose own line, Zero + Maria Cornejo, features a slew of numbers with figure-friendly silhouettes, crafty prints, and striking hues that First Lady Michelle Obama favors. "I tend to wear things that drape away from the body. It's flattering, and when it's hot out you just want to be comfortable."

Frocks are divine, breezy, and virtually effortless, but if the spring/summer collections taught us anything it was that pants are back in every fit and style. Zero in on the loose, slouchy numbers that graced the runways of Alexander Wang, Donna Karan, and Ralph Lauren. And don't forget the baggy boyfriend jeans that were a hit last season. (Editor's note: Bonus if they are already artfully slashed for ventilation!)

And for those whose style skews more to chic sophistication, Dries Van Noten provided the perfect warm-weather looks — sleek geometric prints in navy and white and loosely tailored blazers, shorts, and pants that are the epitome of louche dressing.

Any woman, darting in and out of overzealous air-conditioning, be it in an office or a plane, can attest to the frustration of running hot and cold. A dainty sundress needs a topper for function and form. Be sure to keep a treasure trove of filmy cardigans in an array of colors handy. They're essential staples; look to Gap, J.Crew, and Club Monaco for budget-friendly versions. So, for that matter, are accessories. "My summer style is floral hippie chic," says Etro. "It's bohemian and full of jewelry."

"You can wear very simple silhouettes and put on interesting flats to punch up an outfit," concurs Barnes. "For evening, throw on some chunky bangles, or an oversize cocktail ring à la Lanvin, and you're set. A great high-heeled sandal will instantly give you a nighttime look." For day, flat T straps are a must, but stow away closed-toe vamp shoes. Swollen feet are not sexy. "There's nothing worse than being tortured in the summer," says Cornejo. "Keep it easy."

In terms of bags, it's useful to have something roomy like Bottega Veneta's Fenice tote (a Bergdorf Goodman exclusive) at the ready. When that coveted invite to Mustique arrives, you'll have the perfect accessory in which to throw your Eres bikini. Also, a Kotur box clutch is key for cocktail hour.

To wit, a printed frock, a basic shift, cardigans galore, an easy skin tote, a flat sandal, a cork wedge, and oversize sunglasses will take you from the helipad to the Hamptons in style — because, lest we forget, every Jamesian heroine needs the proper ensemble for whiling away her summer afternoons.

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